Ron,

I have a rumbling rear bearing that will need to be replaced real
soon.  I have looked into doing this myself. The BusDepot has the
bearing kit for about $40 which is a good deal.  Other than that it
is a PITA to do yourself. Get ready to remove your CV joints - again
and get bloody and greazzy.

It requires that you remove the entire axle assembly from the van.
You have to remove the brake stuff to be able to work with the
assembly unit.  You have to press out the old bearing and press in
the new replacement bearing.

It requires tools:  One hydraulic press.  I saw one at JC Whitney
that would do the trick for about $150.  You will also need drivers
that you can push the bearing out with and push the new one in and a
mounting plate that will stabilize the assembly during the process.
Usually a big socket works well but it has to be pretty close to the
right diameter.  Speaking of diameter you need a big big socket that
measures 46mm to remove the castle axle nut.  BTW it should be
torqued at 500 Nm -  that is a lot of torque and usually requires an
impact gun sitting there on the axle nut hammering away.
rattattattatatat.  Then check with a big torque wrench.  Good luck.

What I had in mind was to find a used one in the scrap yard and
rebuild that bearing set.  then swap that out with the existing one
on my van so I would not be immobilized too long.  I am visiting my
local VW shop and will let them do this one.

Joel
89 Syncro Westy
with lots of CVs and bearings to lubricate

--- "Katz, Ron" <RKatz@DAINRAUSCHER.COM> wrote:
> Does anyone know if you must remove the rear axle to take out the
> inner
> wheel bearings on an 89 Westy GL?.. I can take out the outer race
> by holding
> the axle portion that extends through the hub and jiggling it back
> and
> forth.  I just put on new cv joints, and would hate to have to
> remove them
> all over, just to get at the bearings.
> thanks.. ron in tennessee.   89 Westy (white cloud)
> -

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